Breaking News: Norway Strengthens Ukraine’s Black Sea Defenses with Local Production of Uncrewed Sea Vessels.

On June 23, 2025, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Norway) confirmed the co-production of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) in Ukraine, expanding its portfolio of naval systems into an active warzone. This announcement follows Norway’s allocation of NOK 6.7 billion (approximately €580 million) to support the maritime coalition it leads jointly with the United Kingdom. According to the Norwegian Defence Ministry, part of this funding will be dedicated to developing and producing uncrewed maritime vessels based on Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) technology, with production taking place directly in Ukraine.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik emphasized the strategic significance of this move, stating: “Parts of this funding will be used to develop and produce uncrewed maritime vessels using KDA technology, with production based in Ukraine.” The ministry also confirmed that KDA has already signed an agreement with a Ukrainian partner for the joint development and manufacture of surface drones, combining Norwegian technological expertise with Ukraine’s growing defense industrial base.

KDA, a key actor in Norwegian defense innovation, brings to Ukraine its expertise in autonomous maritime platforms, notably through its Sounder USV, a versatile, medium-sized uncrewed surface vessel designed for missions such as mine countermeasures, reconnaissance, and hydrographic surveying. The Sounder USV integrates modular payload bays, autonomous navigation, and seamless interoperability with Kongsberg’s command and control infrastructure. Its composite hull ensures low radar and acoustic signatures, making it highly suitable for contested littoral zones like the Black Sea.

The operational development of Kongsberg’s unmanned maritime systems, including the HUGIN AUV series and the Sounder USV, reflects decades of innovation in oceanographic and naval technology. Shifting part of this production into Ukraine, through a partnership with a domestic defense manufacturer, represents both a technological transfer and a symbolic commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and industrial resilience. It marks a new phase in Nordic–Eastern European defense collaboration, now centered on autonomous capabilities rather than conventional armaments.

Kongsberg’s USVs offer operational advantages in terms of speed, recoverability, and modularity, outperforming traditional patrol vessels and earlier generations of drone boats. Unlike single-use kamikaze USVs such as Ukraine’s Magura V5, the Sounder is designed for multiple missions and recoverable deployment. Compared to Türkiye’s ULAQ platform, Kongsberg’s systems emphasize integration into NATO C4ISR networks and standardized payload flexibility, making them more suitable for coalition operations and data fusion. This evolution mirrors the trajectory of aerial unmanned systems like the Bayraktar TB2, whose strategic value is now being replicated at sea.

The geopolitical implications of this initiative are significant. The deployment and local production of Kongsberg USVs in Ukraine signals a challenge to Russian naval supremacy in the Black Sea. It reinforces NATO’s technological presence, strengthens the deterrence posture led by Norway and the UK, and provides Ukraine with enhanced maritime situational awareness and operational autonomy despite its reduced naval fleet. It also introduces the risk of Russian response to defense manufacturing on Ukrainian soil, especially in regions near the coast, thereby raising the stakes in the hybrid maritime domain.

The NOK 6.7 billion allocated by Norway to the maritime coalition is a long-term investment in allied naval resilience. A portion of this funding will directly support the Ukrainian USV program. Although details on production volumes and deployment schedules remain undisclosed, the signed development agreement between KDA and its Ukrainian partner confirms that this is not merely a transfer of hardware but a full-fledged co-production effort. It entails shared engineering, supply chain localization, and potential scaling for wider operational use across Ukrainian waters.

This decision to initiate uncrewed surface vessel manufacturing in Ukraine marks a critical turning point. It elevates Ukraine from being a frontline user to a strategic co-producer of NATO-compatible unmanned systems. As the war continues to shift into high-tech and hybrid domains, this cooperation positions Ukraine at the forefront of European maritime defense innovation, while reinforcing the broader trend of forward-deployed defense industrial partnerships within conflict zones.